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Firefighters respond after a small plane crashes shortly after takeoff from Opa-Locka Airport. (Published Monday, May 2, 2011)

Updated at 7:00 PM EST on Monday, May 2, 2011

One person is dead after a small plane crashed into a residential neighborhood shortly after takeoff in Opa-Locka Monday morning, fire officials said.

The twin-engine Beech aircraft had just left Opa-Locka Airport around 8 a.m. when it went down near a home just north of the airport in the 14000 block of Northwest 41 Ave.

Plane Crash Kills Pilot

A small plane crashed into a house and vehicles in Miami Gardens, killing the pilot on board, police said. (Published Monday, May 2, 2011)

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said they believe that the pilot died and is the only fatality. His identity is unknown.

Early reports were that the pilot reported having problems shortly before the crash.

The plane struck two vehicles before it burst into flames next to the house. Firefighters were called to scene as the plane, a car and a van were engulfed in flames. They were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

The impact flipped the van and spread engine parts throughout the house's lawn. It's believed the home's residents were able to get out safely.

Officials said the plane was carrying household goods and was likely on its way to the Bahamas. They said it was an older plane that had been built in the late 1950s.

Keionna Collins told NBC Miami she was driving her four kids to school in their Ford Expedition when the plane flew over the car. She said she had to dodge the plane or it would have crashed right into her car and children.

"They were like 'mommy a plane!' Not realizing we were about to lose our life," Collins said. "Trees split, it looked like it was a bomb going off."

The tail number on the plane is N18R and it is registered to Aircap Management Company.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.